Pharmaceutical composition comprising shikonin derivatives from lithospermum erythrorhizo dor treating or preventing diabetes mellitus and the use thereof

摘要

The present invention relates to a composition for preventing and treating diabetes mellitus that includes a shikonin compound as an active ingredient and to a use thereof. More particularly, the present invention relates to a composition for preventing and treating diabetes mellitus that includes isobutyryl shikonin, β,β-dimethylacryl shikonin, isovaleryl shikonin, or α-methyl-n-butyryl shikonin as an active ingredient and to a use thereof. The composition of the present invention exhibits antidiabetic effects by blocking the K_ATP ion channels (ATP-sensitive potassium ion channels) of beta (β) cells in the pancreas and increasing the concentration of calcium ions to promote the secretion of insulin, and thus can be used as a medicinal pharmaceutical, food additive, or health functional food for preventing and treating diabetes mellitus.